The Adventures of Medical Man by
Enter Dr. Michael Evans, who will explain to young readers everything they need to know when an illness or injury occurs. Uniquely structured around five different movie genres and one comic book, each chapter features a common illness or injury with Dr. Mike in the starring role, explaining the causes, symptoms and cures. Whether it's a nut allergy in the action-packed "They Came From Mars!," a broken wrist in the bone-chilling "The Werewolf Who Snapped" or strep throat in the suspense-filled "Adventures of Medical Man and Wondrous Boy," each story is packed with fascinating medical information. Other common conditions covered in the book include concussion, ear infection and asthma--all vividly explained. Complete with diagrams, sidebars and a glossary--and dramatized by Gareth Williams's stunning illustrations--this book will be a comfort to any child dealing with an injury or illness.
Beyond Bullets by
Award-winning photographer Rafal Gerszak spent a year embedded with the American military in Afghanistan, where he used his camera to document everyday life in the war-torn country. While there, he developed a deep affection for the land and its people, and he later returned on his own. Despite the dangers around him, he continued taking photos, exposing the plight of that besieged country. Framed by journal entries that relate his experiences on two levels--as a foreigner looking for a deeper connection to a country that has stirred him, and as a journalist looking for another side to the story--Beyond Bullets addresses the volatile situation in Afghanistan with sensitivity and profound insight. Through Gerszak's lens, readers can see the shattered aftermath of military attacks and dismal hospitals and refugee camps, but they can also experience the vibrant activity of life in the markets, at home and on the Muslim day of rest. Featuring more than 40 of Gerszak's photographs and at once harrowing and heartrending, Beyond Bullets is as illuminating as it is riveting.
Last Airlift by
Last Airlift is the true story of the last Canadian airlift operation that left Saigon and arrived in Toronto on April 13, 1975. Son Thi Anh Tuyet was one of 57 babies and children on that flight. Based on personal interviews and enhanced with archive photos, Tuyet's story of the Saigon orphanage and her flight to Canada is an emotional and suspenseful journey brought to life by award-winning children's author, Marsha Skrypuch.
Lizards in the Sky by
Fish in trees? Frogs underground? Who knew? No one would expect to see a bird at the bottom of a stream, yet that is precisely where the American dipper hunts for food. How about a tortoise that lives in the desert? The way it keeps cool is even more surprising. Readers will be amazed to discover how the 36 animals featured in this book have evolved in order to live in hostile environments. From searing heat to glacial cold and from high in the sky to deep in the earth, these species endure extreme weather conditions and make their homes in the unlikeliest of places in order to hide from predators or to hunt for food. Some of the animals featured in the book are: Northern shrews whose brains and internal organs shrink during hibernation Snakes in Borneo that fly through the air Freshwater eels that travel over land to find food or a new source of water Salamanders that can go without food for 10 years! The full-color photographs and surprising, informative text will appeal to animal lovers of all ages.
The Lowdown on Denim by
How a humble work pant got on everyone's backside and took over the world. In The Lowdown on Denim, narrators JD and Shred take readers on a trip through the history of jeans, demonstrating that, whatever their style, jeans have always driven and reflected popular culture. They use their interest in denim to escort readers from wartime to the rodeo circuit and from environmental concerns to the rock and roll stage. When blue jeans were invented in the 1870s, they were utilitarian -- baggy, only a single pocket and held up with suspenders. In the 1960s, they were bell-bottomed and embroidered, symbolizing the rebellion of the Woodstock era. Punks in the '70s held them together with safety pins, while '80s metal bands wore theirs acid-washed. Then the low-riding style worn by prisoners inspired '90s hip-hop fashion. Today, denim can be as personalized as an iPod playlist. With humorous comic-style illustrations throughout, this fun, fascinating social history will make readers think each time they pull on their jeans.
Fourteen and Sentenced to Death by
At fourteen, Steve Truscott was a typical teenager in rural Ontario in the fifties, mainly concerned about going fishing, playing football, and racing bikes with his friends. One summer evening, his twelve-year-old classmate, Lynne Harper, asked for a lift to the nearby highway on his bicycle and Steve agreed. Unfortunately, that made Steve the last person known to see Lynne alive. His world collapsed around him when he was arrested and then convicted of killing Lynne Harper. The penalty at the time was death by hanging. Although the sentence was changed to life in prison, Steve suffered for years behind bars for a murder he didn't commit. When his case gained national attention, the Supreme Court of Canada reviewed the evidence--and confirmed his conviction. It took over forty years and a determination to prove his innocence for him to finally clear his name. He has since received an apology and compensation for his ordeal. In this book, young readers will discover how an innocent boy was presumed guilty by the justice system, and how in the end, that same justice system, prodded by Truscott and his lawyers, was able to acknowledge the terrible wrong done to him.
Running to Extremes: Ray Zahab's Amazing Ultramarathon Journey by
"When Ray read about the Yukon Arctic Ultra, a 160-kilometre ultramarathon, he knew he had to give it a try. Everyone thought he was crazy--Ray had never even run in a regular marathon."
The Sea Wolves by
The Sea Wolvessets out to disprove the notion of "the Big Bad Wolf," especially as it is applied to coastal wolves--a unique strain of wolf that lives in the rainforest along the Pacific coast of Canada. Genetically distinct from their inland cousins and from wolves in any other part of the world, coastal wolves can swim like otters and fish like the bears with whom they share the rainforest. Smaller than the gray wolves that live on the other side of the Coast Mountains, these wolves are highly social and fiercely intelligent creatures. Living in the isolated wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest, coastal wolves have also enjoyed a unique relationship with man. The First Nations people, who have shared their territory for thousands of years, do not see them as a nuisance species but instead have long offered the wolf a place of respect and admiration within their culture. Illustrated with almost one hundred of Ian McAllister's magnificent photographs, The Sea Wolvespresents a strong case for the importance of preserving the Great Bear Rainforest for the wolves, the bears and the other unique creatures that live there. Want more Sea Wolves?Visit www.greatbearbooks.comand learn more about the Great Bear Rainforest.
The Secret Life of Money by
If discussing money is a difficult task for adults, it's doubly so where kids are involved. Not only is the subject loaded with cryptic jargon (mortgages? Bull markets? Huh?), but it often fails to click with how a kid sees his or her world. Many preteens and young teens do not yet have a job, and even if they do, their responsibilities with their earnings are miles away from grown-up money issues. In other words, not only is money a little overwhelming and mysterious, it's also seen as something they can't do anything about. The Secret Life of Moneyis written to address this last point in particular. It's central message is that money affects us deeply and that even kids can have an effect on it, too. This book uses odd anecdotes, engaging comics, and a wealth of surprising everyday connections to help young readers see and understand cash from an entirely different angle. From the history of different currencies to why we buy what we buy, from how charities and credit cards work to saving and investing, and a whole lot more, readers will gain not only an appreciation for the myriad ways that money changes, influences, and (even) betters their lives, they will arrive to an understanding of the control they have over it.
You Just Can't Help It! by
Do you know why your nostrils flare when you're scared? It's easier to laugh with other people around? You might feel uncomfortable in a crowded elevator? The thing is, you just can't help yourself -- you're only human! Part Desmond Morris's The Naked Ape, part MAD Magazine, and all Jeff Szpirglas, this unique book provides a cultural, historical, and socio-biological perspective on human behavior. From an exploration of how senses affect behavior, to our actions and reactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, and the ways we socially interact, You Just Can't Help It! delves into our basic human biology, and how that manifests in our actions. Whether kids are reading about body language, birth order, fear, laughter, crowd behavior, sniffing smelly diapers, yawning, dreaming, or lying, they are seeing science in action. And Szpirglas's goofy, kid-friendly sensibility paired with the book's look, energy, and scope is guaranteed to engage and captivate young readers.
Fourteen and Sentenced to Death by
At fourteen, Steve Truscott was a typical teenager in rural Ontario in the fifties, mainly concerned about going fishing, playing football, and racing bikes with his friends. One summer evening, his twelve-year-old classmate, Lynne Harper, asked for a lift to the nearby highway on his bicycle and Steve agreed. Unfortunately, that made Steve the last person known to see Lynne alive. His world collapsed around him when he was arrested and then convicted of killing Lynne Harper. The penalty at the time was death by hanging. Although the sentence was changed to life in prison, Steve suffered for years behind bars for a murder he didn't commit. When his case gained national attention, the Supreme Court of Canada reviewed the evidence--and confirmed his conviction. It took over forty years and a determination to prove his innocence for him to finally clear his name. He has since received an apology and compensation for his ordeal. In this book, young readers will discover how an innocent boy was presumed guilty by the justice system, and how in the end, that same justice system, prodded by Truscott and his lawyers, was able to acknowledge the terrible wrong done to him.